Kershaw Strikes Out 11 In Dodgers' 5-1 Win Over Angels
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw improved to 4-0 in May, Joc Pederson hit two solo homers and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Angels 5-1 in the Freeway Series on Tuesday night.
Kershaw (6-1) allowed one run and four hits in eight innings, struck out 11 and walked none. He has struck out at least 10 in a franchise-record six straight starts and has issued just one walk in five previous home starts, and only four this season. The left-hander retired his final 13 batters in lowering his ERA to 1.67.
Kenley Jansen retired the side, including Mike Trout and Albert Pujols, in the ninth for his 14th save.
Jered Weaver (3-3) gave up four runs — three earned — and 10 hits in seven innings, struck out two and walked two in his first start against the Dodgers since May 29, 2013. The right-hander has allowed two or fewer walks in all eight starts this season.
Pederson hit his second homer of the game leading off the eighth against A.J. Achter, who was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake earlier in the day. It was Pederson's second career multi-homer game.
Corey Seager homered in the seventh, extending the Dodgers' lead to 4-1.
The Dodgers took a 3-1 lead in the fourth. Howie Kendrick, starting at first base for Adrian Gonzalez, singled leading off and Pederson followed with his seventh homer on the first pitch. Trayce Thompson came up next and singled before Yasiel Puig killed the rally by grounding into a double play started at third base.
The Dodgers tied the game 1-all in the third when Justin Turner was safe at second base on center fielder Trout's error that led to Chase Utley scoring from second. Turner's long drive appeared to be a routine catch for Trout, who put his glove up and the ball bounced off the heel.
Earlier in the third, Kershaw singled to right field and got thrown out at third on Utley's single to center. Kershaw slid on his back, his helmet flying, and got tagged before he could touch the bag with his right hand as the umpire stood over him signaling he was out.
After retiring the side in the first, Kershaw had a rocky second, giving up a run and three hits. Pujols singled leading off and took second on a balk by Kershaw. He handled Geovany Soto's groundout to the mound before giving up consecutive singles to Johnny Giavotella and Shane Robinson, whose hit to center field hit scored Pujols for a 1-0 lead. Weaver grounded out to Kershaw, who ended the inning by retiring Gregorio Petit on a called third strike.
The Angels had their four-game winning streak snapped after winning the series opener 7-6.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: RHP Cory Rasmus and OF Daniel Nava were placed on the 15-day DL, giving the team 10 injured players. Both players sustained left groin strains Monday.
Dodgers: 1B Adrian Gonzalez (lower back) was available to pinch-hit. He might start Wednesday and isn't expected to go on the DL. ... INF-OF Alex Guerrero was to continue his rehab with Double-A Tulsa on Tuesday in a road game. ... LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu is set to make his second rehab start for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday. ... RHP Mike Bolsinger (oblique) was activated off the 15-day DL.
SLOW PLAY
The Angels won the series opener 7-6 Monday in a game that lasted exactly four hours. The pace particularly bogged down when Dodgers reliever Pedro Baez worked the seventh. Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Baez's "slower" work habits would be addressed. "They weren't in sync with the pitch they wanted to throw," he said of Baez and catcher Yasmani Grandal.
UP NEXT
Angels: RHP Nick Tropeano (1-2, 3.68) starts as the series shifts to Anaheim for two games. He is 0-2 with a 7.53 ERA in three career interleague starts.
Dodgers: RHP Mike Bolsinger comes off the DL as a sixth starter to give the rotation additional rest during the current stretch of 20 games without a day off.
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